Looking for some advice. We have a F150 that tows 10,700 lbs and works great. But with 3 kids and a dog and all the stuff, looking to move to the new 2018 Ford Expedition. Doing the math on whether it will work or not is causing me some anxiety as to whether I have it right or not. The specs are below, let me know if you think this is a doable option with the new '18 Expedition?2018 ExpeditionCurb Wt: 5,623GVWR: 7,450GCWR: 15,200Tow Capacity: 9,200 (with weight distribution hitch)Max Tongue Load: 9302012 Shadow Cruiser 280QBSLength: 32'Dry Wt: 4,915Payload: 2,615GVWR: 7,530Hitch: 530Scale Wt: approx 6000 lbs (with all the stuff on board)I worked it out that the truck would carry another 1,200 lbs with driver, passenger, kids, dog, bikes, etc... Also, the trailer would carry another 800 lbs of propane, batteries, tanks, misc contents, etc... Trailer Full Spec: https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2012-cruiser-rv-shadow-cruiser-travel-trailer-floorplan-s-280qbs-tr3288Think it will work?

Tow rating - good with HD towing equipment i.e. trans coolerReceiver Rating - goodPayload - questionable - please verify as equipped payload on dealer lots. With 700 pounds of loaded TW, how much is left for people and cargo in the Expy? Even at or slightly over a quality and well adjusted WDH should be no problem for that if you are keeping under about 800 pounds in the cabin.

I am going to the dealer in the morning so will get the details off the compliance certificate on the door, and I think there may be a sticker on the receiver as well that I can get more details from. I might be a little heavy on the expedition extra cabin weights with people etc at 1,200 lbs, but want to error on the heavy side if we are really loaded up.The expedition payload should be 7,450 - 5,623 = 1,827 lbs for payload. Will confirm what the sticker has on it in the morning.

Don’t ask....look yourself. Take a picture of the door sticker. “It will tow anything, easily!” I’d go 6000 with my Tahoe but not a pound more but 32 feet is a long TT.

The sticker will be for each individual vehicle as equipped.. So don't be surprised if the payload sticker is going to be less than that 'curb weight' figure you found..The 'scale weight' for my F150 on my registration is #5400.. The GVWR is #7700. Doing the math, that means my payload should be #2300.. Well, my sticker says it's only #1900.. Guess only an XLT equipped truck adds some weight.. ;)Good luck!Mitch

MitchF150 wrote:The sticker will be for each individual vehicle as equipped.. So don't be surprised if the payload sticker is going to be less than that 'curb weight' figure you found..The 'scale weight' for my F150 on my registration is #5400.. The GVWR is #7700. Doing the math, that means my payload should be #2300.. Well, my sticker says it's only #1900.. Guess only an XLT equipped truck adds some weight.. ;)Good luck!Mitchyea, i'd be really surprised if that Expy had that high of a payload.that's about the same as my 3.5 Ecoboost F150 XLT with the Max Tow package.seriously doubt that a 1/2 ton SUV would have that much payload.but i'll hold my judgement for a pic of the payload sticker.

Expedition Tow Vehicle - Doing the Math - Will it work?

Rustycamperpant
Explorer
Oct 23, 2018
Rustycamperpants wrote:
Here is what I know: I have been towing my TT for four seasons with at least one 2,000 mile plus trip every year and three or four shorter 200-300 mile trips each season. I have had zero issues with my Expy. In the six years ive had this Expy I put one set of brakes in the rear and one set in the front, also replaced the rear axle seals one time. I have 147,000 miles on it.

Highest elevation towed so far, Clingmans Dome Tennessee @ 6,000+ feet.

I guess I should have added that the TT in my sig. is 6,400 "dry" and 30 foot long box, not ncluding the hitch. I have no issues towing with my '09, any of the new aluminum Expys will be a cakewalk with a TT the size of the one the OP is considering. ....
joeyg
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018
I have a 2015 Expedition, with a 1654lb payload capacity. I am towing a Keystone Passport 3320BH (36'10" total length, 6590 shipping weight, 8000 Gross). Max towing capacity on an expedition in 9200lbs.

I don't carry anything in the Expedition except passengers to keep under the payload. When I bought the camper (used) it had no anti-sway!, I towed it an hour home. It was a bit scary when the Tractor Trailers passed, but manageable.

I think you will be Fine.
Camper_G
Explorer
Oct 21, 2018
Sure seems like your too close to maxed out to me personally.

A 32' long rig is a lot for a standard wheelbase expy, I had one and it towed my 6k, 23' Layton great, but it felt maxed out and I would not want much more weight behind it than that. Also 530 lb tongue weight seems awfully light for that rig. Most tongue weights are 12-15% of loaded trailer weight. Good luck with your decision
Rustycamperpant
Explorer
Oct 21, 2018
Here is what I know: I have been towing my TT for four seasons with at least one 2,000 mile plus trip every year and three or four shorter 200-300 mile trips each season. I have had zero issues with my Expy. In the six years ive had this Expy I put one set of brakes in the rear and one set in the front, also replaced the rear axle seals one time. I have 147,000 miles on it.

Highest elevation towed so far, Clingmans Dome Tennessee @ 6,000+ feet.
BenK
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018
Sorry, was in line waiting and didn't have time to finish this thought to visually show what Bryan was saying...

First, am NOT a fan of IRS for towing heavy. Think the OEM/designers sized it for the +90% who do NOT tow heavy, so the question is: are the precision bushings/etc sized for towing heavy and for the out years ?

Kinda sorta full floating axle as Bryan says...because the weight is NOT carried by the axle...but by the hub bearing that is connected to the lower arm...just like any front suspension.

Precision because of how IRS works vs a live axle (solid tube and rigid one piece from left tire to right tire).

The weight from the frame rail is carried by the coil spring down to the swing arm (A arm, or lower arm) center (approx).

Then it swings on the pivot at the diff, a bit more than half way (guessing from the image)...to then place the weight to the pavement through the tire

Those pivots at the diff are NOT square laterally to the vehicle, but at an oblique because that is to manage the forces of moving the vehicle

Bottom line, for me, is that IRS is NOT stout enough for towing heavy and if over the spec/limits/ratings....going to wear out those bushings in a hurry
BenK
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018

Click For Full-Size Image.
carringb
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018
mkirsch wrote:
Expedition technically has a full float rear axle.

Is that because it's independent rear suspension, or are you confusing it with the ExCURSion?

No confusion. IRS is full floating, since the axle shafts only turn the wheels, and the hubs are supported by bearings supported fully by the uprights.
2edgesword
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018
You've got 1,827 lbs of payload. Does the 6,000 lbs trailer weight include full propane, batteries and weight of the weight distribution hitch? If not those things need to be added to the trailer weight to calculate the tongue weight which conservatively will be 12.5% of the trailer weight.

Weight of trailer including all of the above times 0.125 = tongue weight

Deduct the tongue weight from you 1,827 maximum payload and that will give you the maximum weight of the things you can carry in the truck.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 19, 2018
Expedition technically has a full float rear axle.

Is that because it's independent rear suspension, or are you confusing it with the ExCURSion?
carringb
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018
intheburbs wrote:

My concerns are more general, in the sense that as you get closer to the max ratings of a half-ton, stuff starts to break. Semifloater axles aren't as forgiving of being overloaded/heavily loaded compared to full floaters.
.

Expedition technically has a full float rear axle.